IJCM_72A: A study on newborn care practices and associated factors influencing their health in urban slums of Kurnool city, Andhra Pradesh.

Abstract

Background: Neonate is essential time for child to grow. Worldwide, Neonatal mortality are estimated to be about 3 million due to insufficient care. In 2021, 2.3 million neonates have died in first four weeks of life, roughly 6400 neonatal deaths per day. Lack of knowledge in new born care, inappropriate new born care practices are some of the contributors to neonatal mortality. Newborn care practice interventions can prevent neonatal deaths. Understanding the community and traditional newborn care practices is necessary to implement effective programme for promotion of newborns health. Hence present study was done to describe selected newborn care practices in urban slums of Kurnool. Objectives: To assess Newborn-Care Practices and to determine the relationship between Newborn-Care Practices and selected socio-demographic variables. Methodology: A Community-based, Cross-sectional study was done among 220mothers who were residing in urban slums of Kurnool City, Data were collected between October 2023 to November 2023 using Semi-structured questionnaire by Simple Random sampling technique. IEC permission was obtained. Written informed consent was obtained from participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS-Version23. Results: Mothers who were practicing delayed-bathing were observed in the age group 18-24 years 135(61.36%)followed by 25-30 years 60(27.2%),the difference was statistically significant(x2=9.84)(p=0.043),Safe cord care practices were observed more among 18-24 years132(60%),it was found to be statistically significant(x2=23.5)(p=<0.001). Early initiation of breast feeding was more common among age group 18-24 years93(42.2%), it was found to be statistically significant(x2=6.51)(p=0.039). Conclusion: The practice of essential newborn care still needs to improve in Bareilly; There is strong need to implement community-based interventions to improve the newborn care practices & to reduce the high-risk newborn care practices like unsafe cord care, delayed breast feeding, early bathing, Prelacteal feeding & discarding colostrum need through health workers.